The party leader's speech at conference is a key moment in the political year.

So what would you suggest if you were one of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy's speechwriters this week?

You'd need a good soundbite, a decent joke and a chunk of political meat.

Write your version of the speech - in around 100 words - and we'll publish a selection of the best responses.

Here are some of the best suggestions so far:

It is time to remember who we are and where we are from. We are a European nation, not the 51st state of the United States. Tony Blair wants to be Dick Cheney not the prime minister of the UK. It is time he concentrated on domestic problems, rising crime, poor public services and one of the worst public transport systems in the developed world. On all these issues, New Labour is turning out to be like the emperors new clothes....without its clothes its not a very pretty sight ! Chris Key, Australia

The future's bright.....
The future's orange!
John Thomaides,
UK

I'm a teapot , here's my handle, here's my spout..
Martin,
Germany

Today's Liberal Democrats represent the consensus views of the population. For example, the other two main parties dove head first into the Iraqi war. What kind of opposition would bend over for New Labour so readily when so clearly the will of the people was against illegitimate action. Blair is Bush's mine canary and IDS has become Blair's poodle. Our honesty and open, spin-less policies will allow the people to establish why they should vote for the Liberal Democrats. Always for the greater good of all the people. Chris Curtis, New Zealand

He's in a little trouble, isn't he, our Tony? He's just run out of excuses on Iraq. He can't find those damned 'weapons of mass destruction'. You know - those things that we went to war in Iraq for.
Well Tony - you've finally found those 'weapons of mass destruction'. In Brent, through the ballot box, where we destroyed you. And I promise you, you'll find plenty more 'weapons of mass destruction' come the next General Election. Because we will destroy you as surely as we destroyed Labour in Brent. And THIS is what you call 'weapons of mass destruction' - the power of the people! And the people are no longer with you, Tony! Bilal Patel, London, UK

It's no good having the best policies organization and commitment of any British political party, People are afraid of the challenge to tradition the Liberal Democrats represent to the established political world. We must be responsible for making parliament and government more attractive, more accessible and better understood to a society that has never been so networked and knowledgeable. James Fitton, UK

We need a new Britain but not "cool Britannia", A Britain where people feel that they have plenty of opportunities to succeed. a Britain, where everyone has a voice and is getting heard. Where it does not matter if you come from Brixton or Oxbridge, you still have a good chance to succeed and be prosperous. Where wealth and heritage, does not count as much as ambition and deed. A Britain, that looks forward to tomorrow and remember its past. A Britain, where you can be proud to be British! Charlotte Moore, Scotland

The LibDems have made steady progress over the last few years by offering something the present major parties don't. We must acknowledge that there is a left to right spectrum in politics. We are not right wing. Indeed, we occupy the centre and left. It is a mistake to try and replace the Tory Party and banish it to the margins. We must now replace the Labour Party in people's minds as the left-leaning party - that way the great Liberal Party of old will become the Liberal Democrat Party of today and once more be a governing party!
Barry Rochfort,
UK

How can the people of the country relate to wigs and silk stocking and clinging to the ayes and nays of tradition in the heart of our democracy in the 21st century?
How can we accept the cost of the EU having the home of that parliament going to moving offices every 6 months?
What UK business allows its leaders or employees to go on weeks of vacation at the same time?
We need to stop the waste and reduce the cost of government to demonstrate that we are serious about Managing UK plc effectively.
Peter Goater,
UK but currently on a 3 yr. contract in USA

Today we stand at a cross-roads. Which way do we go now? The obvious way is forward, but is this the best way for all of us? As country we must decide what is best for us all, if we work together we will go in the right direction. We may on our journey build rafts and bridges to complete our journey and ensure we are all on the same road. We will start in your home , in your streets and your towns, focusing on getting the country united. We may feel it is a hard journey but we will remain focused and move together helping each other, no matter how much we feel we being watched.
How does a Liberal Democrat cross the road?
He communicates with everyone around and takes the safest route, not as some parties would do, to run without looking first. We are the way forward, we will help you on your journey, just ask and we will show you the way.
Julie O'Reilly,
England

Following our success in Brent East we will be formally renaming ourselves the Socialist Party.
Comrades
Go forth and prepare for Real Labour.
James Duddridge,
UK

Vote lib dem, because we're not quite as bad as the alternatives.
Ben,
UK

Vote for me, cos I'm a cheeky chappie.
Duncan,
UK

My fellow Liberal Democrats. Autumn is currently upon us, yet conversely our party is entering a period of growth and maturity that will stand us, and the nation, in good stead for many years to come. But with this growth and maturity, we must not go the way of the some parties and begin to forget our purpose, the true creation of "a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community" as it states in our party constitution. There is work yet to do, but we can and we shall do our utmost to achieve what we believe to be right not just for ourselves, but for all the people of the United Kingdom. Nicholas Graham Hodder, Great Britain

Sound bite/joke he could use - Brent wasn't by-election I would more accurately describe it as a bye-bye Blair election. Pause for laughter and applause ;-) P. Jones, UK